458 The Tail versus The Rattler

Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

If you live anywhere within striking distance of western NC, I highly recommend two incredible, super intense drives - Tail of the Dragon and The Rattler.

I’d done the Tail last fall, and will be hitting it up again tomorrow. The Rattler was recommended by fellow Fchatter @SCantera. Just completed a run up and back in the 458, it is a 38 mile wild stretch of road west of Asheville and will challenge any driver. A Ferrari greatly adds to the experience.

It was an off traffic day and time, so I had it largely to myself. I dare say in an F8, 765 or Hurracan I can’t imagine a more intense drive.

I ran it in CT off, RPMs up, up, up, and not a lot of braking.

Has anyone ever noticed a very sweet odor emanating from the car when ringing its neck around switchbacks? Tires, brakes, or engine (or maybe all three), but man it smells great!

The 458 has a bit of understeer in severe switchbacks (and there are many), but those Michelin Pilot Sport 4S have great grip, and they let you know when they’re about to break loose.

I hope everyone gets a chance to experience a drive like I just did. I celebrated the end of Part
1 by having a chocolate chip cookie in Hot Springs, NC.
Exhausted now as I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway from Boone, NC - about 120 miles to Asheville.

I’m keeping the 458 up here for the summer, with the goal of driving it like it’s supposed to be driven. Many more adventures await.

 

.

Didn’t scrape at all on the Rattler, and that was at speed. There’s one spot on the Tail that you will scrape - the first hairpin as you head south - can’t miss it as the road is abraded with scrape marks.

The Tail is relatively flat and has no private on/offs. The Rattler has elevation changes (making it a bit more challenging), more blind corners, more severe switchbacks, and has private residences along the way. Have a blast but plan accordingly.

IMO the blind corners are the hardest to manage because you’re more likely to encounter someone heading the other way partially in your lane.

Zero congestion if you go in off hours. Makes a world of difference.

 

Just to complete this thread, we sold our FL home and have temporarily moved up north to our place in the VA Mtns. Loaded the Ferrari and headed out to Asheville, where I rode the Rattler, Followed by three glorious days at the Tapoco Lodge out in western NC with numerous runs on the Tail, Hellbender, Cherohala Skyway and Moonshiner before heading back on the BlueRidge Parkway.

Some rain topside on the Tail, but met up about 200 really great folks with the Rennsport Dragon Rally, mostly Porsches, so I had the chance to really unwind the 458 with some pretty talented drivers,

The 458 is not slower than the GT4, nor the GT3 RS (unless it’s goosed). The Ferrari is a wonderful car for these roads and the overall experience incredible. I can’t wait for the F8 and the STO, though I’m not sure how much more a car can be pushed in these endless very tight twisting roads.

Some scenes and action from the solo trip. I’m up in the Mid-Atlantic states all summer and going on numerous jaunts if anyone’s game.

 

A few more.....


Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

You are welcome - most likely heading into WV later next week to carve up some great roads in the GW and Monongahela Forests, perhaps head down through Beckley and into the rugged coal region of southern WV.

Unlike the Tail, not much traffic out that way, but the hillbillies are more prone to come after a Ferrari........

 

No, we love FL and buying a 60 acre farm close to Gainesville which my wife is going to turn into an event center, tree nursery, Airbnb and rescue center for parrots. She’s quite the business girl, and pretty enthusiastic about it. Lots of work to be done, however we can’t occupy it until the owners vacate in late August (and therefore had to double move).

Separately, we’re building a new home in the same area which will have conditioned space for up to six cars. So I’ll keep the 458, and have a STO and F8 Spider on order. The good news is we’re locked in on price; but construction hasn’t started and is glacially slow right now.

So I’m absolutely thrilled to spend the summer up here at our second home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s cooler here and roads awesome - will just need to find someone to change fluids on the 458 (near Charlottesville) as I’m piling miles on it.